I had just moved to a new town and was still in the process of making friends.

My cat, Jimmy, had run away in the move.

I was living in a shitty neighborhood where people were always coming and going so no one bothered to keep their grass green or their house paint from peeling.

I was into this guy, Chris, who was so not into me.

I was feeling vulnerable and alone.

And, yes, I was desperate for attention.

I was also eleven years old. So, naturally, I went as this for Halloween:

I had no idea I was really going as pedobait. I was taking gymnastics then, and all I wanted to do was live in a leotard. A leotard and lace, because after a few years of dabbling in tomboy-hood, I was evolving into something of a chick. I was into boys and kittehs and fluffing my hair endlessly in the mirror and white Danish furniture all of a sudden. So everything had to be frilly and pretty. (Speaking of which, aren’t my bangs cute in this photo?)

So, yeah, basically I invented cosplay.

My Hardass Asian Parents, meanwhile, had no awareness either of the, ahem, nuances of this costume, or they would have grounded me until I was 25. They were immigrants, only faintly tuned in to Western culture, and they were too busy getting their green cards besides. Also, I think they were hoping that since I was dressed as a maid, I might actually have an interest in helping them clean the house.

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by DISGRASIAN™, J A S M I N E and jasminedavila, Jasmine L.. Jasmine L. said: RT @disgrasian: The First And Last Time I Went As A “Sexy (Something)” For Halloween http://dlvr.it/7lCFP [...]